The book, Strategic Living by Dr. Francis Bola Akin-John provides an insight into how human beings can live successfully on earth. With two sections, the book discusses issues about the existence of man in his everyday life and provides suggestions on to how to overcome difficult situations.

Chapter one opens with a question, why living strategically? Here, the author critically explains life which, he says, is more than eating, drinking, sleeping, marrying and giving birth. He explains that our life is not an accident, neither are we here on earth for nothing.

Discussing the facts of life, the author says: "Life is time and time is life". This has been allotted to each of us to live on. To live strategically, our time must be properly utilised.

The author says: " Your life can not but affect others and if you choose to live that life in a strategic way, then you can bring positive changes to your world and glorify your creator.

Reality of Strategic Living is discussed in chapter two, where the author explains the essence of being a contributor rather than a consumer. He also outlines ways to live successfully in a strategic way.

In chapter three, Dr. Akin-John discusses What is driving your life. He goes on to list these compelling forces in man's life as material success, financial gains, competitive spirit, need for approval, fear, past experiences, revenge, fun, frivolity and power.

What should be driving your life? Is the subject of Chapter four in which the author explains the purpose and plan of God for man's life. The author tells the reader that God's purpose doesn't come instantly to majority of people, but comes through a long and tedious process. He also takes a look at five benefits of being driven by God's purpose for one's life on earth.

The author, in chapter five, lists the enemies of meaningful living as secret sins, idol worshipping, wrong foundations and curses. He discloses that having sexual intercourse with a cursed person can bring curse to someone's life.

In chapter six, where he talks about Personal Development, the reader learns the right strategy that can lead him or her to personal development and meaningful living. Some of the strategies include setting the right priorities, having a good relationship with God, having a serving heart and being disciplined.

Akin-John, In chapter seven, also describes Mental Development as ‘ a person's thinking more than anything else, shapes his way of living'. Here, the author demands that every human being should nurture good thoughts.

The last chapter, Social Development dwells on strategies that could help one relate well with other people and make them likeable. Some of these include Relational Skill (one's ability to relate with people) and Opposition, which he says is a fact of life. He reasons that no human being exists without having those who would oppose him or her.

The language is simple and can be easily understood by an average reader. With a well-printed cover, the book also provides inspirational words that can enrich the mind of its readers on their styles of living.

The author of the book, Dr. Francis Bola Akin-John is founder and president of International Church Growth Ministries and International Institute of Church Growth, Lagos, Nigeria.

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